By GoTrendSA 
OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has added a hybrid to its J5 crossover range, and it slots neatly into the middle of the line-up. The new J5 SHS joins the existing petrol (ICE) model and the recently launched fully electric BEV, which means the J5 now offers three distinct powertrains under one nameplate. Priced at R459,900, the SHS is pitched as an accessible way into electrified motoring for South Africans who are not quite ready to go full EV.
The hybrid heart
At the centre of the SHS is a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, for a combined 165kW and 295Nm. A small 1.83kWh battery lets it run on electric power at low speeds and in traffic, which helps it to a claimed fuel consumption of just 5.3 L/100km. Match that to the 51-litre tank and JAECOO reckons on a theoretical range of up to 980km between fills, the kind of number that takes range anxiety off the table entirely. Power goes to the front wheels through a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, with MacPherson struts up front and a multilink rear setup keeping the ride composed.
A premium-feeling cabin
Visually, the SHS keeps the clean, minimalist look of its petrol sibling, riding on 18-inch alloys with a panoramic moonroof and automatic LED headlights as standard. Inside, it leans upmarket for the price, with black leather upholstery, a six-way electric driver’s seat, multi-colour ambient lighting, a leather multifunction wheel and dual-zone climate control. The tech centres on a large 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, backed by an eight-inch driver display, 50-watt wireless charging and a six-speaker sound system.
Family duties are covered too. A power tailgate opens to a 410-litre boot, and dropping the 60/40 split rear seats expands that to a generous 1,214 litres for bigger loads and weekend runs.
Safety and warranty
Safety is well stocked, with six airbags, ESP, Brake Assist, traction control and ISOFIX anchors, plus a genuinely comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems fitted as standard. That includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist and an intelligent evasion system, among others.
Ownership peace of mind is a big part of the pitch. The J5 SHS comes with a five-year/150,000km warranty, a lengthy 10-year/one-million km engine warranty, five-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance and a five-year/75,000km service plan.
The GoTrend take
The J5 SHS makes a lot of sense on paper. Offering petrol, hybrid and electric versions of the same crossover is a smart way to meet buyers wherever they sit on the electrification curve, and the hybrid’s 5.3 L/100km economy and near-1,000km range claims should appeal to anyone still nervous about EV charging in South Africa. Add a well-equipped cabin, a serious driver-assistance list and that standout engine warranty, and R459,900 looks like competitive money in a crowded crossover segment. As always, real-world economy is the figure worth testing, and we would love to see how close it gets to that 5.3 L claim on local roads.